Random movie talky stuff.

[Archer]

This thread is now devoted to movies, arguing about movies, and slapfights between star trek nerds and star wars geeks.

[Sinfulwolf]

Okay... while it did just open today, I haven't seen it yet

I just had to get out of my system... why the fuck did they put "director of Titanic" on the posters? They should have put "Director of Terminator 1 and 2, and Aliens".

If anyone is a true sci-fi nerd, they have seen Aliens. It is a classic to this day. Hell I watched it not too long ago, and the special effects weren't even that bad. And its an '80s movie. It's aged really well.

"How do I get out of this chicken shit outfit?"

[Newbie]

I actually will be going to see it tonight. Though maybe we can make this a general movie chat w/ spoilers thread? I can see someone making one of these for every movie, and that'd be unnecessary.

[Archer]

Well I figured after everyone saw it there would be a lot of chattering, a whole lot, and this way there wouldn't have to be spoilers in almost every post to keep from ruining it. I understand your concern but I think avatar is going to easily be up there with star trek and star wars, hopefully we will not have people walking around in loincloths painted blue at conventions but it wouldn't be worse than the fat guys in sailor moon outfits *shudder*

And for sinful, Sigourney Weaver hasn't lost her edge, she's still an awesome actor, minor bit of safe trivia about the movie, the main villian of the film tried out twice to try to be included in Aliens.

[Newbie]

It was sold out, so I didn't get to see it. I'll be trying again Tuesday though.

Originally Posted by Archer

hopefully we will not have people walking around in loincloths painted blue at conventions but it wouldn't be worse than the fat guys in sailor moon outfits *shudder*

Fat blue guys walking around in loincloths. That is all.

I got there for the first showing. Now... it wasn't packed packed...

The film was absolutely stunning. I watched it in 3D and the whole time I was just amazed at the visuals. The story was good and emotional. Grade A quality all the way.

Now, when I left... a MASSIVE line was building for the next 3D showing. Pretty funny...

I think this movie will start cranking after a few days. It's one of those films that needs a few views here and there, to get the word out about how amazing it is.

[Nunu]

I'm not sure what everyone thinks its so good for. i mean yeah i enjoyed it but it just doesn't seem to be as epic as promised. The effects are awesome as to be expected (but thats not to hard these days) but the story wasn't anything special, like a dances with wolves in space.

sure you're all bound to enjoy it but its not this ground breaking epiphany its made out to be.

[Lou Dobbs]

Director of avitar does documentaries much in movie is shown much. Why is not as all exception good is still.

[Sinfulwolf]

Originally Posted by Nunu

I'm not sure what everyone thinks its so good for. i mean yeah i enjoyed it but it just doesn't seem to be as epic as promised. The effects are awesome as to be expected (but thats not to hard these days) but the story wasn't anything special, like a dances with wolves in space.

sure you're all bound to enjoy it but its not this ground breaking epiphany its made out to be.

It's been hyped up for much too long to be anything ground breaking. Indeed, the fact that such a hugely hyped movie is being quite enjoyed is almost mind shattering to me.

[Momiji]

Just saw Avatar. It sucked, and I'm not sure why it was even hyped up nearly as much as it was.

[Sinfulwolf]

Originally Posted by Momiji

Just saw Avatar. It sucked, and I'm not sure why it was even hyped up nearly as much as it was.

Of course, you can't please everyone.

[Nunu]

yeah, i can totaly see how it could suck. i think it spent to long in someones head.

[Sinfulwolf]

He has been trying to make it since Titanic... which was what, 1998?

[Chibichibi]

I just saw it, and when I'm done gasming I'll be able to give a concise review.

Now if you'll excuse me. *goes back to squeeing and rolling on the floor*

[Sinfulwolf]

Saw it the other night. It was quite enjoyable to me actually. However, there were a few things that bothered me. One that stuck out in both mine and Sly's mine, was the use of the common "military commander" archetype. I know James Cameron started a lot of sci-fi archetypes with Aliens, but to use others that have been around since movies have been made me a little sad. I'd be interested to see a competent non assholish military commander at some point in a movie like this.

The special effects were pretty good. Not stunning, but that's what happens when your in development for longer than the 13 year old kids claiming James Cameron is ripping off Halo. The jungles however, were breathtaking, and at times I just wanted to step into that world to behold its beauty firsthand, while the dangers of Pandora offered a balance of realism.

The battle sequences, while quite awesome, also bothered me in a bit. How come during the first major fight the Na'vi arrows couldn't pierce the ships, but in the second fight pilots were getting impaled to their seats?

All in all however, I rather enjoyed the movie, and Sam Worthington is prooving himself to be quite the actor. I do want to see how he handles stepping into the sandals of Persues in Clash of the Titans.

[Chibichibi]

in the first fight they went after the big ship.

The arrows could make it through the smaller ship glass as well as the glass of the walkers.

[Newbie]

I saw it today and quite enjoyed it, just a couple of things:

1) Every uniformed person on that planet was mentioned right at the start to actually be ex-military mercenaries. Who then proceeded to address each other by rank and speak in military jargon for the rest of the film.

2) There is literally no way to be sympathetic towards the villains. It's impossible. The colonel was a bad ass, but he was also a terrible dick. I have trouble with stories that don't leave room for interpretation and imagination.

3) It was very much a hippy film, witch kind of bugs me.

4) Who stayed? Jake obviously, Norm made it, and that bearded scientist. Did any other previously mentioned characters make it, or was that it? These things bug me.

[Games Dude]

Originally Posted by Newbie

I saw it today and quite enjoyed it, just a couple of things:

1) Every uniformed person on that planet was mentioned right at the start to actually be ex-military mercenaries. Who then proceeded to address each other by rank and speak in military jargon for the rest of the film.

2) There is literally no way to be sympathetic towards the villains. It's impossible. The colonel was a bad ass, but he was also a terrible dick. I have trouble with stories that don't leave room for interpretation and imagination.

3) It was very much a hippy film, witch kind of bugs me.

4) Who stayed? Jake obviously, Norm made it, and that bearded scientist. Did any other previously mentioned characters make it, or was that it? These things bug me.

5 words or less:

Plot Holes.

Discuss.

[Chibichibi]

Originally Posted by Newbie

I saw it today and quite enjoyed it, just a couple of things:

1) Every uniformed person on that planet was mentioned right at the start to actually be ex-military mercenaries. Who then proceeded to address each other by rank and speak in military jargon for the rest of the film.

2) There is literally no way to be sympathetic towards the villains. It's impossible. The colonel was a bad ass, but he was also a terrible dick. I have trouble with stories that don't leave room for interpretation and imagination.

3) It was very much a hippy film, witch kind of bugs me.

4) Who stayed? Jake obviously, Norm made it, and that bearded scientist. Did any other previously mentioned characters make it, or was that it? These things bug me.

Yeah they were Ex military, but that training doesn't die. My Grandfather was an MP in WWII but he still speaks in Military jargon sometimes. It's second nature.

And there is room for interpretation, there is a way to feel sorry for them. You get two Rousing Speeches. One from Jake to the Na'vi, and one from Commander pain in the ass to his men. Both were stirring, BOTH got my blood pumping.

Yes, it was a hippy tree huggy film. Part of what made me love it so much, but personal preference is just that, personal. :3

And why do we need to know who stays? There's not going to be a sequel. You do see anything past the transfer, and they weren't the focus of the movie anyway.


The movie was the most visually stunning movie I've seen. It was beautiful. The creatures were well thought out, given definition, personalities, and motive (As far as animals can be motivated) From the little hyena-dogs to the Huge Panther thing, and even to the Elephant analogs, this movie made me want to fight tooth and nail to get to Pandora.

The cultural aspect also blew me away. To the Na'vi this story embodied an "Epic Tale" by all definitions. The culture reminded me of the Native Americans, and some African tribes. The language was beautiful, created just for the purpose of this movie, and Executed beautifully.

And there were slight touches of realism throughout the movie too. The fact that many characters I'd gotten close to, or that Jake had gotten close to, the fact that people we knew died was impactful to me. It wasn't an "Everyone lives and goes home happy" or even a movie where the people who have been named live, like you see a lot. There was tragedy mixed in with the triumph.

>.>;; But yeah. It was amazing. I loved it. I think the only thing I didn't like was the fact that Grace died. xD But i understand the reasons for it, and agree that it was a nice plot touch.

[Newbie]

Originally Posted by Chibichibi

And there is room for interpretation, there is a way to feel sorry for them. You get two Rousing Speeches. One from Jake to the Na'vi, and one from Commander pain in the ass to his men. Both were stirring, BOTH got my blood pumping.

...

And why do we need to know who stays? There's not going to be a sequel. You do see anything past the transfer, and they weren't the focus of the movie anyway.

Colonel Scarface's speech basically amounted was derisive towards the people and the planet, and meant to inspire fear and violence on his men. The only point I will give the colonel is that he was going to keep his promise to Jake. Neither the mercs nor the corporate folks were shown to have any sympathy, save the one pilot who switched sides. No one even attempts to offer alternatives, except the scientists. They are constantly at odds with or ignored by the company and the mercs, their work used for intelligence purposes rather than trying to find any other solution.

We don't really need to know who stays, but I like to know where people end up. I guess it's curiosity, for the what-if part of my brain.

[Chibichibi]

Well, look at it this way, Colonel doucheface is a LOT like people I know. He was realistic, if nothing else.

And you see all the people that stayed, maybe they weren't listed by name, but they were there, and you saw them. :3

[Momiji]

Norm was actually my favorite character, but only because he was played by one of my favorite actors, Joel Moore. I would've thought the General Doucheface character a little unrealistic if I also didn't have Ex-Marines/Military in my own family.

Even though the CG was beautiful, I think of 3D as nothing more than a cheap gimmick, and I thought the plot was paper thin and cookie cutter. Are you really telling me James Cameron waited 10 years to rip off Dances With Wolves?

[Nunu]

Originally Posted by Chibichibi

Well, look at it this way, Colonel doucheface is a LOT like people I know. He was realistic, if nothing else.

the thing i didn't like about colenl douchface is that he didn't really have any motive, they never really established he wanted all the natives dead, just that he enjoyed the challenge of pandora.

[Vlanitak]

Effects and such was awesome. 3d was cool, but (at least at the cinema I went to see it) it seemed that at some points in the movie the director decided to just leave out or do the 3d effect crappy so that I kinda lost interest in the whole 3d effect.
Plot and story: sum it up nice and easy: did not appeal to me.
end: good movie to have watched, will not watch it again.

Anyone else than me see similarities between big battle and this?

Spoiler

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...Little_Bighorn and almost everything else in the plot seemed, for me atleast, to be easily connectable with the White european immigrant/Native american conflict during the years of colonizations, revolution and civil war etc... etc... in america

[Momiji]

Originally Posted by Vlanitak

Effects and such was awesome. 3d was cool, but (at least at the cinema I went to see it) it seemed that at some points in the movie the director decided to just leave out or do the 3d effect crappy so that I kinda lost interest in the whole 3d effect.
Plot and story: sum it up nice and easy: did not appeal to me.
end: good movie to have watched, will not watch it again.

Anyone else than me see similarities between big battle and this?

Spoiler

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...Little_Bighorn and almost everything else in the plot seemed, for me atleast, to be easily connectable with the White european immigrant/Native american conflict during the years of colonizations, revolution and civil war etc... etc... in america

Uh, no offense, but it's one of the most paper thin allegory's I've seen in a movie in a long long time. The plot could be linked to a number of historic or modern events, from the invasion of Iraq to the battle of Little Bighorn, and that's most of the reason why I hate this movie.

[Hopeyouguess62]

Originally Posted by Nunu

the thing i didn't like about colenl douchface is that he didn't really have any motive, they never really established he wanted all the natives dead, just that he enjoyed the challenge of pandora.

I hate to say it, because I'm currently deployed IN the military. I've worked with a number of marines and sailors now, and I can safely say that the ex-marines shown in this film are actually a lot tamer than the snarling hellhounds we currently employ. Make no mistake: most of the marines I know are very good people, and they do what they do for their people. Take my word for it, though, they are bloodthirsty and relentless, and have a certain zeal for carrying out their orders. The marine leaning out the helicopter and yelling "Get some!" was VERY close to home. The Colonel wouldn't NEED a motive to want to kill indigenous people.

One thing they do show nicely is the change that occurs when you lose mechanical, emotional and physical distance between yourself and your enemy. If a team is called upon to eliminate a target, it is considered simply that. The killing that follows is purely impersonal. The button is pushed, the target neutralized. No one has to deal with the emotional consequences of consigning hundreds or more to a horrible, fiery death.

The destruction of the home tree and planned final bombing was a purely impersonal thing for most of the operators on the ship. These aren't hand-to-hand fighters, these are technicians far removed from the consequences of their actions.

Anyway, I enjoyed the unique new world but I have to agree with criticism of the thin, tiresome old plot. When the girl talked about someone taking Big Red (that's what I'm naming the big red flying thing right now) and leading the clans, I pretty much figured that was what was gonna happen. Same with a lot of the plot's "surprises." I also appreciated the new culture they tried to create, but didn't find it alien enough. It seemed a little too much like African and Native American tribes.

Great work visually, wonderful effort, accurate military depiction, weak plot and dissatisfying cultural shock.

[dmronny]

Yeah what Hope said, luckily I didn't have very high hopes for the movie so it didn't really disappoint me.

[Sinfulwolf]

James Cameron has usually been able to show military culture fairly accurately, if a little toned down (check out Aliens). Yes, there was a lot of times during the movie that I wondered if this was about Aliens... or Iraq. Very very similar.

I... actually don't really have anything to add anymore. I could go on, but I'd either be agreeing with Mo, or others. I enjoyed the movie, but it wasn't uberly amazing like it was supposed to be. Oh well.

I also never saw it in 3D. Just a regular movie.

[Nunu]

do you know what was an excellent movie, sherlock Holmes.

kick ass

[Copper]

Sherlock Holmes was very enjoyable, yes. Saw the first screening we had here in town today.

Also, a friend informed me that Avatar's "top at the box office" spot has been taken over by, of all things, Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakwal. *facepalm* Of course, all the kids are out of school right now and that's going to be likey what the parents take the little ankle-biters to. We're holding out hope that Avatar will reclaim the spot or Holmes will take over.